Geotechnical Investigation in Montréal and Québec

Metra Consultation provides geotechnical investigation services in Montréal and throughout Québec for residential, commercial, industrial, institutional, municipal, and infrastructure projects. This page focuses specifically on field investigation, soil and groundwater characterization, laboratory testing, and the geotechnical recommendations derived from those findings.

A geotechnical investigation provides the subsurface information required to design safe, practical, and cost-effective foundations, pavements, excavations, retaining structures, and site infrastructure. Understanding the soil, bedrock, and groundwater conditions early in a project helps reduce uncertainty, manage construction risks, and avoid costly changes during construction.

Our geotechnical team coordinates directly with our structural and civil professionals to ensure that subsurface findings are translated into clear and usable engineering recommendations. For broader consulting beyond site investigation, see our geotechnical engineering services. For detailed foundation resistance and movement calculations, see our bearing-capacity and settlement analysis.

Our Services

Our geotechnical investigation services may include:

  • Review of available geological and historical information

  • Development of a project-specific investigation program

  • Borehole drilling and soil sampling

  • Test-pit excavation and logging

  • Standard Penetration Testing (SPT)

  • Bedrock coring and evaluation

  • Installation and monitoring of groundwater observation wells

  • Field identification and classification of soils

  • Laboratory testing of soil and rock samples

  • Assessment of soil stratigraphy and groundwater conditions

  • Evaluation of foundation alternatives

  • Bearing-capacity and settlement analysis

  • Excavation, shoring, and dewatering recommendations

  • Pavement and earthwork recommendations

  • Evaluation of frost susceptibility

  • Preparation of geotechnical engineering reports

  • Construction-phase geotechnical support when included in the mandate

Planning the Investigation

The scope of a geotechnical investigation must reflect the type, size, sensitivity, and complexity of the proposed project.

Before fieldwork begins, our team reviews:

  • Proposed building or infrastructure type

  • Structural loads and anticipated foundation systems

  • Building footprint and number of storeys

  • Basement and excavation depth

  • Site topography and accessibility

  • Existing structures and neighbouring properties

  • Planned roads, parking areas, and underground services

  • Available geological and previous geotechnical information

  • Potential groundwater and drainage conditions

  • Construction schedule and project requirements

This review helps establish the appropriate number, location, and depth of boreholes or test pits and the required field and laboratory testing.

Field Investigation

Fieldwork is designed to identify subsurface conditions and obtain representative samples for engineering evaluation.

Depending on the project, the investigation may include:

  • Borehole drilling

  • Test pits

  • Soil sampling

  • In-situ penetration testing

  • Rock coring

  • Groundwater observations

  • Verification of fill and organic materials

  • Identification of weak, compressible, or sensitive soils

  • Observation of obstructions or difficult excavation conditions

Field observations are recorded in detailed logs describing soil type, density or consistency, moisture, sample recovery, bedrock conditions, and groundwater observations.

Laboratory Testing

Laboratory testing may be performed to confirm soil properties and support engineering analysis.

Testing may include:

  • Moisture-content determination

  • Grain-size distribution

  • Atterberg limits

  • Soil classification

  • Organic-content testing

  • Compaction and Proctor testing

  • California Bearing Ratio testing

  • Consolidation testing

  • Shear-strength testing

  • Permeability testing

  • Frost-susceptibility evaluation

  • Rock-strength testing

The testing program is selected according to project requirements and the subsurface materials encountered.

Foundation Recommendations

Based on the investigation results and structural requirements, our geotechnical report may provide recommendations regarding:

  • Suitable foundation types

  • Allowable bearing pressure

  • Factored geotechnical resistance when required

  • Estimated total and differential settlement

  • Foundation embedment depth

  • Frost protection

  • Removal or improvement of unsuitable soils

  • Engineered fill requirements

  • Slab-on-grade support

  • Raft or mat foundations

  • Deep foundations or piles

  • Ground-improvement alternatives

  • Foundation drainage and groundwater considerations

Our geotechnical and structural teams can coordinate directly to develop a foundation system suited to both the building loads and actual ground conditions.

Excavation and Groundwater

Excavation conditions can significantly affect construction cost, schedule, and safety.

Our investigation may support recommendations for:

  • Temporary excavation slopes

  • Shoring and support systems

  • Excavation near neighbouring buildings

  • Soil stability and basal heave considerations

  • Rock excavation

  • Groundwater control

  • Temporary dewatering

  • Subgrade protection

  • Construction during wet or freezing conditions

  • Backfill and compaction requirements

Where deep excavations or sensitive neighbouring structures are involved, additional analysis and monitoring may be recommended.

Roads, Pavements, and Site Infrastructure

For civil and infrastructure projects, the geotechnical investigation may address:

  • Pavement subgrade conditions

  • Frost susceptibility

  • Granular base and subbase requirements

  • Soil reuse and disposal considerations

  • Cut-and-fill operations

  • Embankment construction

  • Settlement beneath roads and utilities

  • Pipe bedding and trench backfill

  • Culvert and retaining-wall foundations

  • Infiltration feasibility

  • Slope stability

These recommendations are coordinated with the civil design to support durable and constructible site infrastructure.

Existing Buildings and Distress Investigations

Geotechnical investigations may also be required when an existing building experiences:

  • Foundation settlement

  • Cracking or distortion

  • Slab movement

  • Drainage or groundwater problems

  • Slope movement

  • Performance issues following additions or increased loading

Our team can review available records, inspect the site, investigate subsurface conditions, and assess whether soil, groundwater, foundation, or drainage conditions may be contributing to the observed distress.

Integrated Engineering Coordination

Metra Consultation combines geotechnical, structural, civil, and BIM expertise within one multidisciplinary team.

This integration allows us to coordinate:

  • Soil conditions with structural foundation loads

  • Groundwater with basement and drainage design

  • Excavation requirements with shoring and neighbouring structures

  • Pavement recommendations with civil grading and drainage

  • Earthworks with site-development plans

  • Underground services with soil and bedding conditions

  • Geotechnical recommendations with three-dimensional project coordination

The result is a more complete understanding of project risks and more practical engineering decisions.

Our Process

Our typical geotechnical investigation process includes:

  1. Reviewing the project scope and available information

  2. Developing a site-specific investigation program

  3. Coordinating access, utility clearances, and fieldwork

  4. Completing boreholes, test pits, sampling, and field testing

  5. Performing selected laboratory tests

  6. Evaluating soil, bedrock, and groundwater conditions

  7. Completing geotechnical analyses

  8. Coordinating findings with structural and civil requirements

  9. Preparing the geotechnical engineering report

  10. Providing clarification and construction support when required

Information Typically Required

To prepare an investigation program, we may request:

  • Site address and property information

  • Topographic survey or certificate of location

  • Architectural and site plans

  • Proposed building dimensions and number of storeys

  • Anticipated foundation loads

  • Basement and excavation depths

  • Proposed roads, parking areas, and underground services

  • Previous geotechnical, environmental, or geological reports

  • Information regarding existing buildings and observed distress

  • Project schedule and municipal requirements

Why Choose Metra Consultation?

Our multidisciplinary structure allows geotechnical findings to be directly integrated into structural and civil design.

We are committed to providing:

  • Project-specific investigation programs

  • Clear and technically sound recommendations

  • Early identification of subsurface risks

  • Practical foundation and construction solutions

  • Coordination between geotechnical, structural, civil, and BIM teams

  • Responsive communication throughout the project

  • Support from initial investigation through construction

Contact Us

Planning a new building, site development, infrastructure project, foundation modification, or investigation of existing distress?

Contact Metra Consultation to discuss the geotechnical information required for your project and develop an investigation program suited to the site conditions and engineering objectives.